NewGround

This week marks the start of an exciting new chapter for NewGround. Having been delivering monthly coffee training sessions in HMP Spring Hill for a while, we’re taking things to the next level by launching The NewGround Academy. This will be an in-depth barista training course, taking a select group of the most interested participants from our monthly prison training sessions further into the world of coffee. We will be training participants in everything they’d need to know and do in order to excel in a coffee shop environment, helping them to achieve competency in everything from the origins and farming processes of coffee beans to the art of the perfect pour. Why are we doing this? Because employment has repeatedly been proven to play an enormous role in preventing reoffending. And so, by providing these individuals with valuable, marketable, hard skills, we are helping them to build a foundation for successful reintegration into society upon their release. We want to use what we know in the coffee industry to give prison-leavers the best possible chance of securing work, staying out of prison and thriving in the workplace and beyond. With vacancies in the hospitality industry still far higher than pre-pandemic levels, being willing to employ out of prisons is an ideal solution to solving staff shortages. And if they’re already trained in the required skills, even better! We can't wait to see how our first cohort gets on, and what they go on to. Updates to follow in the coming months. For now, here's to fresh starts, one cup at a time. #SecondChances #Rehabilitation #Coffee #BaristaTraining #SocialImpact #Prison #Reoffending

Recently NewGround was at HMP Spring Hill interviewing four prisoners for a vacancy at our roastery. Two things stood out: 1. There is so much potential inside our prisons. We were so impressed with the individuals we met. We interviewed such a strong group of candidates that we wish we had more jobs available, as we would happily have hired more than one of them. The guys we met were very capable, willing to work hard and be part of a team. They were all polite, professional and punctual. They asked good questions, showed aspiration, and all in all came across really well. Taking away the fact that we were interviewing them inside a prison, the experience of interviewing these guys was very similar to a ‘regular’ round of interviews. We were left with the impression that inside HMP Spring Hill was a bunch of men with determination to prove themselves and motivation to do things differently and apply themselves to whatever opportunity they get. 2. Prisoners desperately need someone to give them a chance. Several of the men remarked that this was their first ever interview. They were visibly nervous, as most of us would be at an interview. But these men had the added pressure of meeting an official employer for the first time and trying to give a good account of themselves, while very conscious of the fact they were in prison for having committed a criminal offence. And they absolutely did this! Each of them acknowledged the fact that they’re in prison through their own choices and experience - they didn’t hide away from that fact. But they didn’t want that to be what defined them. The sad reality is that for many, that does end up being what defines them. Only around 17% of prison-leavers are in employment within a year of their release. With odds like these stacked against them, employers who are willing to take a chance on them and let them prove themselves are vitally important. Could you be someone who considers giving a job opportunity to someone coming out of prison? It might just be a lifeline for them. #prison #rehabilitation #employment #interviews #secondchance